Single-sensor hyperspectral imaging device

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure generally relates to hyperspectral spectroscopy, and in particular, to systems, methods and devices enabling a single-sensor hyperspectral imaging device. Hyperspectral (also known as “multispectral”) spectroscopy is an imaging technique that integrates multiples images of an object resolved at different narrow spectral bands (i.e., narrow ranges of wavelengths) into a single data structure, referred to as a three-dimensional hyperspectral data cube. Data provided by hyperspectral spectroscopy allow for the identification of individual components of a complex composition through the recognition of spectral signatures of individual components within the three-dimensional hyperspectral data cube.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/681,265, filed Aug. 18, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/844,737, filed Mar. 15, 2013, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/716,401,filed Oct. 19, 2012, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to hyperspectral spectroscopy,and in particular, to systems, methods and devices enabling asingle-sensor hyperspectral imaging device.

BACKGROUND

Hyperspectral (also known as “multispectral”) spectroscopy is an imagingtechnique that integrates multiple images of an object resolved atdifferent spectral bands (i.e., ranges of wavelengths) into a singledata structure, referred to as a three-dimensional hyperspectral datacube. Data provided by hyperspectral spectroscopy is often used toidentify a number of individual components of a complex compositionthrough the recognition of spectral signatures of the individualcomponents of a particular hyperspectral data cube.

Hyperspectral spectroscopy has been used in a variety of applications,ranging from geological and agricultural surveying to militarysurveillance and industrial evaluation. Hyperspectral spectroscopy hasalso been used in medical applications to facilitate complex diagnosisand predict treatment outcomes. For example, medical hyperspectralimaging has been used to accurately predict viability and survival oftissue deprived of adequate perfusion, and to differentiate diseased(e.g. tumor) and ischemic tissue from normal tissue.

Hyperspectral/multispectral spectroscopy has also been used in medicalapplications to assist with complex diagnosis and predict treatmentoutcomes. For example, medical hyperspectral/multispectral imaging hasbeen used to accurately predict viability and survival of tissuedeprived of adequate perfusion, and to differentiate diseased (e.g.tumor) and ischemic tissue from normal tissue. (See, Colarusso P. etal., Appl Spectrosc 1998; 52:106A-120A; Greenman R. I. et al., Lancet2005; 366:1711-1718; and Zuzak K. J. et al., Circulation 2001;104(24):2905-10; the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties for all purposes.)

However, despite the great potential clinical value of hyperspectralimaging, several drawbacks have limited the use of hyperspectral imagingin the clinic setting. In particular, current medical hyperspectralinstruments are costly because of the complex optics and computationalrequirements currently used to resolve images at a plurality of spectralbands to generate a suitable hyperspectral data cube. Hyperspectralimaging instruments can also suffer from poor temporal and spatialresolution, as well as low optical throughput, due to the complex opticsand taxing computational requirements needed for assembling, processing,and analyzing data into a hyperspectral data cube suitable for medicaluse.

Thus, there is an unmet need in the field for less expensive and morerapid means of hyperspectral/multispectral imaging and data analysis.The present disclosure meets these and other needs by providing methodsand systems for co-axial hyperspectral/multispectral imaging.

SUMMARY

Various implementations of systems, methods and devices within the scopeof the appended claims each have several aspects, no single one of whichis solely responsible for the desirable attributes described herein.Without limiting the scope of the appended claims, some prominentfeatures are described herein. After considering this discussion, andparticularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description”one will understand how the features of various implementations are usedto enable a hyperspectral imaging device capable of producing athree-dimensional hyperspectral data cube using a single photo-sensorchip (e.g. CDD, CMOS, etc) suitable for use in a number forapplications, and in particular, for medical use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the present disclosure can be understood in greater detail, amore particular description may be had by reference to the features ofvarious implementations, some of which are illustrated in the appendeddrawings. The appended drawings, however, merely illustrate the morepertinent features of the present disclosure and are therefore not to beconsidered limiting, for the description may admit to other effectivefeatures and arrangements.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a spectral filter array 201 having ninefilter elements (A-I), each filter element 211 corresponding to a pixel111 on detector 101.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a processing subsystem for ahyperspectral/multispectral system, according to some embodiments.

In accordance with common practice the various features illustrated inthe drawings may not be drawn to scale. Accordingly, the dimensions ofthe various features may be arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity.In addition, some of the drawings may not depict all of the componentsof a given system, method or device. Finally, like reference numeralsmay be used to denote like features throughout the specification andfigures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention hereby incorporates by reference U.S. PatentProvisional Application Nos. 61/655,800, filed Jun. 5, 2012 and61/715,273, filed Oct. 17, 2012. Numerous details are described hereinin order to provide a thorough understanding of the exampleimplementations illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, theinvention may be practiced without many of the specific details. And,well-known methods, components, and circuits have not been described inexhaustive detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure more pertinentaspects of the implementations described herein.

FIG. 1 is an exploded schematic view of an implementation of an imagesensor assembly 100 for a single-sensor hyperspectral imaging device.The image sensor assembly 100 includes a photo-sensory array 101 incombination with a filter array 201. While some example features areillustrated in FIG. 1, those skilled in the art will appreciate from thepresent disclosure that various other features have not been illustratedfor the sake of brevity and so as not to obscure more pertinent aspectsof the example implementations disclosed herein. For example, thevarious electrical connections and access control circuitry to receivethe outputs of the photo-sensor array 101 have not been illustrated.Nevertheless, those skilled in the art will appreciate that at least oneof various configurations of electrical connections and access controlcircuitry to receive the outputs of the photo-sensor array 101 would beincluded in an operable single-sensor hyperspectral imaging device.Moreover, an interface module and a controller—which are togetherconfigured to select, assemble, process, and analyze the outputs of thephoto-sensor array 101 into a hyperspectral data cube—are describedbelow with reference to FIG. 2.

With further reference to FIG. 1, in some implementations, thephoto-sensory array 101 includes a plurality of photo-sensors. Forexample, the detailed view 110 schematically shows, as a non-limitingexample only, a number of photo-sensors 111 included in the photo-sensorarray 101. Each photo-sensor 111 generates a respective electricaloutput by converting light incident on the photo-sensor.

In some implementations, the photo-sensor array 101 includes a CCD(charge coupled device) semiconductor sensor array. A CCD sensor istypically an analog device. When light strikes the CCD sensor array, thelight is converted to and stored as an electrical charge in eachphoto-sensor. The charges are converted to voltage one photo-sensor(often, but not exclusively, synonymous with a pixel) at a time as theyare read from the CCD sensor array.

In some implementations, the photo-sensor array 101 includes a CMOS(complementary metal oxide) semiconductor sensor array. A CMOSphoto-sensor is an active photo-sensor that includes a photodetector andan active amplifier. In other words, each photo-sensor in a CMOS sensorarray includes a respective photodetector and a corresponding activeamplifier.

In some implementations, the photo-sensor array 101 includes a hybridCCD/CMOS sensor array. In some implementations, a hybrid CCD/CMOS sensorarray includes CMOS readout integrated circuits (ROICs) that are bumpbonded to a CCD imaging substrate. In some implementations, a hybridCCD/CMOS sensor array is produced by utilizing the fine dimensionsavailable in modern CMOS technology to implement a CCD like structure inCMOS technology. This can be achieved by separating individualpoly-silicon gates by a very small gap.

The light incident on a particular photo-sensor 111 is filtered by arespective filter in the filter array 201. In some implementations, thefilter array 201 is configured to include a plurality of filterelements. Each filter element is arranged to filter light received by arespective one or more of the plurality of photo-sensors in thephoto-sensor array 101. Each filter element is also one of a pluralityof filter-types, and each filter-type is characterized by a spectralpass-band different from the other filter-types. As such, the electricaloutput of a particular photo-sensor is associated with a particularspectral pass-band associated with the respective filter associated theparticular photo-sensor 111.

For example, the detailed view 210 schematically shows, as anon-limiting example only, a number of filter-types A, B, C, D, E, F, G,H, I included in the filter array 201. Each filter-type A, B, C, D, E,F, G, H, I has a spectral pass-band different from the others, Thefilter-types A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I are arranged in a 3×3 grid thatis repeated across the filter array 201. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 1, three filters 211 a, 211 b, 211 c of filter-type A areillustrated to show that instances of filter-type A are repeated in auniform distribution across the filter array 201 such that thecenter-to-center distance dl between two filters of the same type isless than 250 microns in some implementations. In some implementations,the center-to-center distance dl between two filters of the same type isless than 100 microns.

Moreover, while nine filter-types are illustrated for example in FIG. 1,those skilled in the art will appreciate from the present disclosurethat any number of filter types can be used in various implementations.For example, in some implementations 3, 5, 16 or 25 filter-types can beused in various implementations. Additionally and/or alternatively,while a uniform distribution of filter-types has been illustrated anddescribed, those skilled in the art will appreciate from the presentdisclosure that, in various implementations, one or more filter-typesmay be distributed across a filter array in a non-uniform distribution.Additionally and/or alternatively, those skilled in the art will alsoappreciate that “white-light” or transparent filter elements may beincluded as one of the filter-types in a filter array.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an implementation of a single-sensorhyperspectral imaging device 300 (hereinafter referred to as “imagingdevice 300” for brevity). While some example features are illustrated inFIG. 2, those skilled in the art will appreciate from the presentdisclosure that various other features have not been illustrated for thesake of brevity and so as not to obscure more pertinent aspects of theexample implementations disclosed herein. To that end, the imagingdevice 300 includes one or more central processing units (CPU) 308, anoptional main non-volatile storage unit 340, a controller 342, a systemmemory 314 for storing system control programs, data, and applicationprograms, including programs and data optionally loaded from thenon-volatile storage unit 340. In some implementations the non-volatilestorage unit 340 includes a memory card for storing software and data.The storage unit 340 is optionally controlled by the controller 342.

In some implementations, the imaging device 300 optionally includes auser interface 302 including one or more input devices 306 (e.g., atouch screen, buttons, or switches) and/or an optional display 304.Additionally and/or alternatively, in some implementations, the imagingdevice 300 may be controlled by an external device such as a handhelddevice, a smartphone (or the like), a tablet computer, a laptopcomputer, a desktop computer, and/or a server system. To that end, theimaging device 300 includes one or more communication interfaces 312 forconnecting to any wired or wireless external device or communicationnetwork (e.g. a wide area network such as the Internet) 313. The imagingdevice 300 includes an internal bus 310 for interconnecting theaforementioned elements. The communication bus 310 may include circuitry(sometimes called a chipset) that interconnects and controlscommunications between the aforementioned components.

In some implementations, the imaging device 300 communicates with acommunication network 313, thereby enabling the imaging device 300 totransmit and/or receive data between mobile communication devices overthe communication network, particularly one involving a wireless link,such as cellular, WiFi, ZigBee, BlueTooth, IEEE 802.11b, 802.11a,802.11g, or 802.11n, etc. The communication network can be any suitablecommunication network configured to support data transmissions. Suitablecommunication networks include, but are not limited to, cellularnetworks, wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), theInternet, IEEE 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, or 802.11n wireless networks,landline, cable line, fiber-optic line, etc. The imaging system,depending on an embodiment or desired functionality, can work completelyoffline by virtue of its own computing power, on a network by sendingraw or partially processed data, or both simultaneously.

The system memory 314 includes high-speed random access memory, such asDRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM, or other random access solid state memory devices;and typically includes non-volatile memory flash memory devices, orother non-transitory solid state storage devices. The system memory 314optionally includes one or more storage devices remotely located fromthe CPU(s) 308. The system memory 314, or alternately the non-transitorymemory device(s) within system memory 314, comprises a non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium.

In some implementations, operation of the imaging device 300 iscontrolled primarily by an operating system 320, which is executed bythe CPU 308. The operating system 320 can be stored in the system memory314 and/or storage unit 340. In some embodiments, the image device 300is not controlled by an operating system, but rather by some othersuitable combination of hardware, firmware and software.

In some implementations, the system memory 314 includes one or more of afile system 322 for controlling access to the various files and datastructures described herein, an illumination software control module 324for controlling a light source associated and/or integrated with theimaging device 300, a photo-sensor array software control module 328, asensor data store 331 for storing sensor data 1332 acquired by thephoto-sensor array 101, a data processing software module 1334 formanipulating the acquired sensor data, a hyperspectral data cube datastore 1335 for storing hyperspectral data cube data 1336 assembled fromthe acquired sensor, and a communication interface software controlmodule 1338 for controlling the communication interface 312 thatconnects to an external device (e.g., a handheld device, laptopcomputer, or desktop computer) and/or communication network (e.g. a widearea network such as the Internet).

In some implementations, the acquired sensor data 1332 is arranged andstored by the filter-type associated with each photo-sensor 111 in thephoto-sensor array 101. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, thephoto-sensor output data 1332-1 from the photo-sensors associated withfilter-type A are selectable from the photo-sensor output data, such asphoto-sensor output data 1332-K associated with filter-type I.

The acquired sensor data 1332 and hyperspectral data cube data 1336 canbe stored in a storage module in the system memory 314, and do not needto be concurrently present, depending on which stages of the analysisthe imaging device 300 has performed at a given time. In someimplementations, prior to imaging a subject and after communicating theacquired sensor data or processed data files thereof, the imaging device300 contains neither acquired sensor data 1332 nor the hyperspectraldata cube data 1336. In some implementations, after imaging a subjectand after communicating the acquired sensor data or processed data filesthereof, the imaging device 300 retains the acquired sensor data 1332and/or hyperspectral data cube data 1336 for a period of time (e.g.,until storage space is needed, for a predetermined amount of time,etc.).

In some implementations, the programs or software modules identifiedabove correspond to sets of instructions for performing a functiondescribed above. The sets of instructions can be executed by one or moreprocessors, e.g., a CPU(s) 308. The above identified software modules orprograms (e.g., sets of instructions) need not be implemented asseparate software programs, procedures, or modules, and thus varioussubsets of these programs or modules may be combined or otherwisere-arranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, the systemmemory 314 stores a subset of the modules and data structures identifiedabove. Furthermore, the system memory 314 may store additional modulesand data structures not described above.

The system memory 314 optionally also includes one or more of thefollowing software modules, which are not illustrated in FIG. 1: aspectral library which includes profiles for a plurality of medicalconditions, a spectral analyzer software module to compare measuredhyperspectral data to a spectral library, control modules for additionalsensors; information acquired by one or more additional sensors, animage constructor software module for generating a hyperspectral image,a hyperspectral image assembled based on a hyperspectral data cube andoptionally fused with information acquired by an additional sensor, afusion software control module for integrating data acquired by anadditional sensor into a hyperspectral data cube, and a display softwarecontrol module for controlling a built-in display.

While examining a subject and/or viewing hyperspectral images of thesubject, a physician can optionally provide input to the image device300 that modifies one or more parameters upon which a hyperspectralimage and/or diagnostic output is based. In some implementations, thisinput is provided using input device 306. Among other things, the imagedevice can be controlled to modify the spectral portion selected by aspectral analyzer (e.g., to modify a threshold of analyticalsensitivity) or to modify the appearance of the image generated by animage assembler (e.g., to switch from an intensity map to a topologicalrendering).

In some implementations, the imaging device 300 can be instructed tocommunicate instructions to an imaging subsystem to modify the sensingproperties of one of the photo-sensor array 101 and the filter array 201(e.g., an exposure setting, a frame rate, an integration rate, or awavelength to be detected). Other parameters can also be modified. Forexample, the imaging device 300 can be instructed to obtain a wide-viewimage of the subject for screening purposes, or to obtain a close-inimage of a particular region of interest.

In some implementations, the imaging device 300 does not include acontroller 342 or storage unit 340. In some such implementations, thememory 314 and CPU 308 are one or more application-specific integratedcircuit chips (ASICs) and/or programmable logic devices (e.g. anFGPA—Field Programmable Gate Array). For example, in someimplementations, an ASIC and/or programmed FPGA includes theinstructions of the illumination control module 324, photo-sensor arraycontrol module 328, the data processing module 334 and/or communicationinterface control module 338. In some implementations, the ASIC and/orFPGA further includes storage space for the acquired sensor data store331 and the sensor data 1332 stored therein and/or the hyperspectraldata cube data store 1335 and the hyperspectral/multispectral data cubes1336 stored therein.

In some implementations, the system memory 314 includes a spectrallibrary and spectral analyzer for comparing hyperspectral data generatedby the image device 300 to known spectral patterns associated withvarious medical conditions. In some implementations, analysis of theacquired hyperspectral data is performed on an external device such as ahandheld device, tablet computer, laptop computer, desktop computer, anexternal server, for example in a cloud computing environment.

In some implementations, a spectral library includes profiles for aplurality of medical conditions, each of which contain a set of spectralcharacteristics unique to the medical condition. A spectral analyzeruses the spectral characteristics to determine the probability that aregion of the subject corresponding to a measured hyperspectral datacube is afflicted with the medical condition. In some implementations,each profile includes additional information about the condition, e.g.,information about whether the condition is malignant or benign, optionsfor treatment, etc. In some implementations, each profile includesbiological information, e.g., information that is used to modify thedetection conditions for subjects of different skin types. In someimplementations, the spectral library is stored in a single database. Inother implementations, such data is instead stored in a plurality ofdatabases that may or may not all be hosted by the same computer, e.g.,on two or more computers addressable by wide area network. In someimplementations, the spectral library is electronically stored in thestorage unit 340 and recalled using the controller 342 when neededduring analysis of hyperspectral data cube data.

In some implementations, the spectral analyzer analyzes a particularspectra derived from hyperspectral data cube data, the spectra havingpre-defined spectral ranges (e.g., spectral ranges specific for aparticular medical condition), by comparing the spectral characteristicsof a pre-determined medical condition to the subject's spectra withinthe defined spectral ranges. Performing such a comparison only withindefined spectral ranges can both improve the accuracy of thecharacterization and reduce the computational power needed to performsuch a characterization.

In some implementations, the display 304 which receives an image (e.g.,a color image, mono-wavelength image, or hyperspectral/multispectralimage) from a display control module, and displays the image.Optionally, the display subsystem also displays a legend that containsadditional information. For example, the legend can display informationindicating the probability that a region has a particular medicalcondition, a category of the condition, a probable age of the condition,the boundary of the condition, information about treatment of thecondition, information indicating possible new areas of interest forexamination, and/or information indicating possible new information thatcould be useful to obtain a diagnosis, e.g., another test or anotherspectral area that could be analyzed.

In some implementations, a housing display is built into the housing ofthe imaging device 300. In an example of such an implementation, a videodisplay in electronic communication with the processor 308 is included.In some implementations, the housing display is a touchscreen displaythat is used to manipulate the displayed image and/or control the imagedevice 300.

In some implementations, the communication interface 312 comprises adocking station for a mobile device having a mobile device display. Amobile device, such as a smart phone, a personal digital assistant(PDA), an enterprise digital assistant, a tablet computer, an IPOD, adigital camera, or a portable music player, can be connected to thedocking station, effectively mounting the mobile device display onto theimaging device 300. Optionally, the mobile device is used to manipulatethe displayed image and/or control the image device 300.

In some implementations, the imaging device 300 is configured to be inwired or wireless communication with an external display, for example,on a handheld device, tablet computer, laptop computer, desktopcomputer, television, IPOD, or projector unit, on which the image isdisplayed. Optionally, a user interface on the external device is usedto manipulate the displayed image and/or control the imaging device 300.

In some implementations, an image can be displayed in real time on thedisplay. The real-time image can be used, for example, to focus an imageof the subject, to select an appropriate region of interest, and to zoomthe image of the subject in or out. In one embodiment, the real-timeimage of the subject is a color image captured by an optical detectorthat is not covered by a detector filter. In some implementations, theimager subsystem comprises an optical detector dedicated to capturingtrue color images of a subject. In some implementations, the real-timeimage of the subject is a monowavelength, or narrow-band (e.g., 10-50nm), image captured by an optical detector covered by a detector filter.In these embodiments, any optical detector covered by a detector filterin the imager subsystem may be used for: (i) resolving digital images ofthe subject for integration into a hyperspectral data cube; and (ii)resolving narrow-band images for focusing, or otherwise manipulating theoptical properties of the imaging device 300.

In some implementations, a hyperspectral image constructed from datacollected by the photo-sensor array 101 is displayed on an internalhousing display, mounted housing display, or external display. Assembledhyperspectral data (e.g., present in a hyperspectral/multispectral datacube) is used to create a two-dimensional representation of the imagedobject or subject, based on one or more parameters. An image constructormodule, stored in the imaging system memory or in an external device,constructs an image based on, for example, an analyzed spectra.Specifically, the image constructor creates a representation ofinformation within the spectra. In one example, the image constructorconstructs a two-dimensional intensity map in which thespatially-varying intensity of one or more particular wavelengths (orwavelength ranges) within the spectra is represented by a correspondingspatially varying intensity of a visible marker.

In some implementations, the image constructor fuses a hyperspectralimage with information obtained from one or more additional sensors.Non-limiting examples of suitable image fusion methods include: bandoverlay, high-pass filtering method, intensity hue-saturation, principlecomponent analysis, and discrete wavelet transform.

It will also be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,”etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elementsshould not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used todistinguish one element from another. For example, a first contact couldbe termed a second contact, and, similarly, a second contact could betermed a first contact, which changing the meaning of the description,so long as all occurrences of the “first contact” are renamedconsistently and all occurrences of the second contact are renamedconsistently. The first contact and the second contact are bothcontacts, but they are not the same contact.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the claims. Asused in the description of the embodiments and the appended claims, thesingular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It willalso be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to andencompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon”or “in response to determining” or “in accordance with a determination”or “in response to detecting,” that a stated condition precedent istrue, depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it isdetermined [that a stated condition precedent is true]” or “if [a statedcondition precedent is true]” or “when [a stated condition precedent istrue]” may be construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response todetermining” or “in accordance with a determination” or “upon detecting”or “in response to detecting” that the stated condition precedent istrue, depending on the context.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments. However, theillustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modificationsand variations are possible in view of the above teachings. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical applications, to therebyenable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention andvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hyperspectral imaging device comprising: aphoto-sensor array including a plurality of photo-sensors, eachphoto-sensor in the plurality of photo-sensors providing a respectiveoutput; a spectral filter array having a plurality of filter elements,wherein each filter in the filter elements is arranged to filter lightreceived by a respective one or more of the plurality of photo-sensors,and wherein each filter element is one of a plurality of filter-types,wherein each filter-type is characterized by a spectral pass-banddifferent from the other filter-types, wherein the filter elements of atleast one discrete filter-type in the plurality of filter-types aredistributed across the spectral filter array in a non-uniformdistribution; one or more processors; and memory including instructions,the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause thehyperspectral imaging device to perform operations comprising: selectingone or more sub-sets of photo-sensor outputs, wherein each sub-set ofphoto-sensor outputs is associated with a single respective filter-type;and forming a hyperspectral data cube from the one or more sub-sets ofphoto-sensor outputs by generating a plurality of respective images,wherein each respective image is produced from a single respectivesub-set of photo-sensor outputs so that each of the plurality ofrespective images is associated with a particular filter-type.
 2. Thehyperspectral imaging device of claim 1, wherein the instructions, whenexecuted by the one or more processors, cause the hyperspectral imagingdevice to: capture single frame image data by controlling exposure ofthe photo-sensor array and spectral filter array to light, wherein thehyperspectral data cube is generated from the single frame image data.3. The hyperspectral image device of claim 2, wherein each of theplurality of images is generated by applying an interpolation process tothe respective sub-set of photo-sensor outputs for the one respectivefilter-type.
 4. The hyperspectral imaging device of claim 1, wherein acenter-to-center distance between two filter elements of the same typeis less than 250 microns.
 5. The hyperspectral imaging device of claim1, wherein a center-to-center distance between two filter elements ofthe same type is less than 150 microns.
 6. The hyperspectral imagingdevice of claim 1, wherein the filter elements of at least oneparticular filter-type are spatially distributed across throughout thespectral filter array.
 7. The hyperspectral imaging device of claim 6,wherein the at least one particular filter-type is different than the atleast one discrete filter-type, and the spatial distribution of thefilter elements of the at least one particular filter-type ischaracterized by a substantially uniform distribution of the filterelements throughout the spectral filter array.
 8. The hyperspectralimaging device of claim 1, wherein a spatial distribution of the filterelements is characterized by a repeating pattern of one or morefilter-types.
 9. The hyperspectral imaging device of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of filter-types includes at least three filter-types. 10.The hyperspectral imaging device of claim 1, further comprisingcircuitry configured to select the one or more sub-sets of photo-sensoroutputs.
 11. The hyperspectral imaging device of claim 1, wherein theinstructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause thehyperspectral imaging device to: receive the output of the photo-sensorarray at one or more registers; identify which registers correspond tofilter elements of a particular filter-type from a look-up table; andselect one or more sub-sets of photo-sensor outputs from the one or moreregisters based on the identification of the registers that correspondto filter elements of the particular filter-type.
 12. The hyperspectralimaging device of claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed bythe one or more processors, cause the hyperspectral imaging device to:bundle photo-sensor outputs from the particular filter-type into datapackets, wherein the data packets include at least the correspondingregister values.
 13. The hyperspectral imaging device of claim 12,further comprising a transceiver to transmit the data packets to aserver and receive an image for each filter-type from the server basedon the transmitted data packets.
 14. The hyperspectral imaging device ofclaim 1, comprising a handheld medical imaging device.
 15. Thehyperspectral imaging device of claim 1, further comprising a displayscreen.
 16. The hyperspectral imaging device of claim 15, wherein theinstructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause thehyperspectral imaging device to: display a hyperspectral image formedfrom the hyperspectral data cube on the display screen.
 17. Thehyperspectral imaging device of claim 16, wherein the instructions, whenexecuted by the one or more processors, cause the hyperspectral imagingdevice to: display information about a region of interest imaged by theplurality of respective images, the information selected from the groupconsisting of a probability that the region of interest is afflicted bya particular medical condition, a category of medical condition that theregion of interest is afflicted with, a probable age of a medicalcondition that the region of interest is afflicted with, a boundary of amedical condition that the region of interest is afflicted with, orinformation about treatment of a medical condition that the region ofinterest is afflicted with.
 18. The hyperspectral imaging device ofclaim 15, wherein the display is a touchscreen display that is used tomanipulate a displayed image or to control the hyperspectral imagingdevice.
 19. The hyperspectral imaging device of claim 1, furthercomprising a communication interface for communicating the plurality ofrespective images to a remote device across a communication network. 20.The hyperspectral imaging device of claim 19, wherein the communicationinterface uses a communication protocol selected from the groupconsisting of cellular, WiFi, ZigBee, BlueTooth, IEEE 802.11b, 802.11a,802.11g, and 802.11n to communicate the plurality of images.